PRINCIPx\L  TRANSACTIONS 

OF  THE 

LUTHERAN  GOSPEL  MINISTRY 

OF 

NORTILCAROLINA, 

IN  SYNOD  ASSEMBLED, 

IN  THE  MONTH  OF  OCTOBER, 

1812. 


TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED, 

A  CIRCULAR  LETTER 

TO  THE 

CLERGT  OF  SAID   CHURCH. 
SALISBURY:  (N.  C.) 

FRL\TED  BY  COUPEE  A,XD  CRIDER. 
1813* 


2^  ^*^  ^'fe-  ^5?^  ^§5%-.A.^S-'r^^5'^-^^-^*F^--^ 


FRINCTPAL  TRANSACTIONS,  &c. 


.-::®:: 


ON  Sunday  the  c8th  day  of  Odober,  in  the  year  of 
f»nr  Lord  1812,  the  riiin-{re^>  of  the  Golpel  of  the    Lu- 
theran Congregiitions  and  their  deputies,  aiTembled   in 
Guilford  County,  N.   C.  in  their  annual  Synod. 
,      I  he   Revd.   Mr.  Markert  opened  the  \^orIhip  of  God 
in  the  ufual  manj7er,  and    preached   on    2   Tim.  ii.  15. 
"-  Study  to  iliew  thvfelf  approved   unto  God,  a  work- 
man that  needeth  not  to  beafriamed,  rightlv  dividing  the 
word  of  truth."   After  Scrn. on,  candiciate  J.  Sherer  was 
folemniy  ordained  and  confecrated  to  the  minitlry  of  the 
Gofpei,'  by  the  miniliers   Miller,   Markert  and  Shober. 
The  apparent  devotion  of  a  filent  h  numerous  congrega- 
tion, and  the  fenfible  prefence  of  the  omniprefent  mer- 
ciful God,  gives  unto  us  the  faithful    confidence,    that 
the  Shepherd  and  BiO^op  of  his  flock,    Jefus  our  Lord, 
has  himfeif  called  and  authoriled  this  his  jervant.     After 
the  ordination,  Bro.  Shober  addrefied  the  congregation 
in  the  LngliCh  iangirage  on  Luke  xxii.     15.  "  With  de- 
fire  I  have  defired  to  eat  this  paflbver  with  you  before  I 
fuffer."    After  which  the  Lord's  Supper  was  adminiiler- 
ed  to  about  90  ccmnunicants,    among   whom  were  35 
who  were  confirmed  the  day  before  ;  during  the  celebra- 
'don  of  this  holy  inftitution,  the  Reverend  Mr.  Dreher 
preached  out  ot  doors,  on  John  iii.  14,  and  Mr.  Frank* 
low  on    I  Cor.  xv.   56,  57,    to  an   attentive  and  larre 
Englifh  con.L^regation  ;  and  the  Revd.  Mr.    Miller  con- 
cluded this  day's  worfhip  with  a  ferious  and  impreliive 
exhortation  to  the  congregation,  and  prnving  them  to 
be  reconciled  unto  God  in  this  time  of  grace. 

On  Monday  October  19th,  the  Reverend  Mr.  Miller 


C     4      ) 

opened  the  Synod  with  an  addrefs  to  all  prefent,  where-^ 
by  all  were  reminded  of  the  importance  of  our  charge, 
and  bv  finging  an  appropriate  Hymn,  and  with  a  folemn 
and  ferious  fapplication  to  the  throne  ot  grace,  for  his 
guidance  and  affiltance  to  our  deliberations. 

The  following  minifters  were  prefent. 
R,  J    Miller,     L.  Markert,       G.  Sbober^      J.  Sberer, 
Godfrey  Dreher^  who  according  to  a   refoiution    of  our 
la!t  Synod,  was  ordained   in   South-Carolina.   See  laft 
journal. 

Candidates  to  the  holy  office  were, 
John  Philip  Franklow,  from  Lewifburg  County,  8.  C. 
Michael  Rauch,  (or  .-^rnokej  Lexington  County,  do. 
John  W.  Meyer,    now  Bottetourt    County,    Virginia. 
Daniel  Moier,   Lincoln  County,   N.  C. 
Jacob  Kriefon,  Guilford  County,  N.  C. 

Deputies  and  Elders  of  Congregations. 
David   Gobel,  Guilfoid   County,     John    Derner  and 
Jacob  Heifer,  Rowan  County,  Leonard  SifFert,  Lincoln 
County,  Samuel  Hiller,  of  S.  C.  Henry   Holder,  John 
I^ull,  and  Adam  Fifcus,  from  Stokes  County. 

The  Revd.  Mr.  Miller  was  then  eleded  Prefident,  & 
G.  Shober  Secretary. 

After  which  the  journal  of  our  lad  meeting  was  read, 
and  fuch  points  as  were  not  accompliflied,  or  which 
were  referred  to  this  Synod,  were  firit  confidcred  ;  a- 
mong  which  the  condition  of  our  conc^regations  in  S.  C* 
claimed  attention,  and  as  a  petition.ifigned  by  20  of  our 
members  in  S.  C.  wasperferred  &  read  at  the  fa*^-  time, 
praying  for  the  ordination  of  our  candidate  J  P.  Frank- 
low,  it  wasrefolved  that  hefliould  be  ordained  ;  and  be- 
caufe  this  could  not  be  done  loon  in  his  congregation,  k 
longer  delay  might  be  hurtful,  it  was  determined  that  he 
iliould  be  ordained  here  on  Tuesday  the  20th  of  Oct. 

ihe  Treafurer  then  reported  the  account  of  the  ex- 
penditure of  the  25  Dollars  left  in  his  hands  at  the  lafi 
Synod,  which  account  was  approved.  The  balance  in 
his  hands  is  1  Dollar  and  ^^  cents. 

The  deliberation  refpecling  the  orphan  fchool  propof- 


{     S    J 
ed  laM:  Synod,  (fee  page  25)  was  poftponed  to  our  next 
meeting. 

The  liturgy  which  the  Revd.  Mr.  Stork  had  in  com- 
iniirion  to  co  npiie,  being  not  done  on  account  of  the 
wtakiiels  of  his  eyes,  he  toe^ether  with  the  niinillers 
Miller  andShober,  were  aathorifed  to  complete  one  in 
the  Gera?an  and  Enghlh  languages,  and  to  have  the 
fa.^e  printed.  —  The  minillers  will  endeavor  to  obtain 
fur>fcribers  thereto. 

At  half  pait  1  2  o'clock,  candidate  Meyer  preached  on 
Luke  %i.  23    and  the  Revd.  Mr.  Miller  on  Horn,  vi,  14. 

A  letter  from  the  Revd.  J,  G.  Shmucker,  of  York, 
Pennfylvania,  was  with  pleafure  attended  to  ;  he  there- 
in acknowledged  the  receior  of  fiich  addreffes  as  by  our 
laif  Synod  were  to  be  fent  to  the  Lutheran  Miniliry  of 
Pennfylvania,  and  which  were  addreffed  to  him  as  Se- 
cretary ;  that  their  Synod  had  received  them  in  tender 
participation,  and  had  requefled  their  Revd.  Prefidenr, 
Mr.  Helmuth,  to  execute  their  refolutions  refpeding  the 
fame. 

A  letter  of  the  Revd.  Paul  Henkel,  (who  nowrcfides 
near  the  Ohio)  which  contained  his  acknowledgment 
of  belonging  to  our  aifociation,  and  a  (hort  deicription 
of  his  activity  in  the  flate  of  Ohio,  was  communicated 
to  the  meeting. 

The  Revd  Philip  Henkel,  who  was  lafl  Synod  ap« 
poiiited  nuiiiionary  Preacher,  reported  by  a  ie  ter  (in 
which  he  alio  dated  the  with  u>  insdmiflible  caufe  of  his 
abfence)  as  follows  :  *•'  I  ferved  as  miilionary  Preacher 
from  the  i  ith  day  of  ?v1ay,  to  the  7th  day  of  Au2:ult  ; 
travelled  1534  miles,  preached  50  times,  briprized  115 
children  and  4  Adults,  and  adminiftered  the  Lord'.s 
Supper  4  times,  in  all  to  45  communicants  ;  ]  received 
1  i2  Dolls,  y^  cts.  expended  4  Dolls.  6  cts-  ir*.  travel- 
ing expences,  and  for  horfe  (hoes  and  Clothes  22  Dolls. 
50  cts.  I  found  in  the  States  of  N.  Caro-ina,  '!>nneflee 
and  Virginia,  many  deferted  congregations,  and  they 
every    where  pray  for  Preachers.*' 

On  his  enquiry  whether  hefliouldmakcout  ajournalot^ 
his  tour,  and  whcihtr  the  fame  Ihould  be  printta,  it  Was 


(     6     ) 

Much  resjretted  that  he  hdd  uoi  lent  one,  as  on  that  ac- 
count we  c  mid  not  determine  any  thing  about  the  print- 
in-jf ;  refpicting  the  balance  in  his  hands  of  the  money 
recei^'ed  o  i  tiis  journey,  k  was  refolved,  that  it  is  to  be 
leh  to  nin,  eitner  to  keep  the  wnole  or  part  as.  he  may 
thi-;k  n^ht* 

bundry  congregations  from  VirTinia,  petitioned  this 
Synod  tor  the  ordination  of  candidate  J.  VV.  Mevcr  ; 
the  petiti  )n  after  beinjj  read,  was  referred  to  Meflrs. 
Miiler,  Mifkert,  Shober  and  Sherer,  to  examine  the 
fa>ne  and  report  thereon. 

A  petirion  fro  n  Lincoln  County,  praying  for  the  ad- 
Tanccme  u  of  Oaniei  vlofer,  a  licenfed  candidate,  was 
duiy  con  idered,  and  his  licenfe  to  preach,  baptize 
and  cate:.iife  in  all  our  churches  tor  one  year  was  re- 
newed. 

Michael  Rauch,  (or  Smoke)  and  Joft  Mdtze  alfo  ra- 
ce ved  lij^^afe  as  above. 

Hercj  jon  the  S^Tion  of  this  day  was  concluded  by 
fiiiginsj  aa  i  praying. 

And  )d:>ber  2och,  the  Seflion  was  opened  again  in 
the  fame  manner. 

I  he  following  report  was  read. 
The  niniflers  to  who  u  was  referred  the  petition  from 
V  rginii,  refpediag  tiie  ordination  of  the     candidate 
J.     v\    Vieyer — report, 

That  oy  enquiring  of  him,  they  found,  that  fome 
^f.arsa;o  he  received  licenfe  from  the  miniliry  of 
Pennfyivania  to  preich,  baptize,  and  ,  carechife,  that 
a!  the  f'jcceeJing Synod  inPeunfylvania  he  was  not  pre- 
ftnt,  OA'inoj  to  family  circumltances,  thic  his  written 
ar  plica  iOn  tor  the  renewal  of  his  licenfe  was  nor  ac- 
cepred,  becaufe  he  did  not  fend  his  journal  and  two 
'wvritten  fermons  of  his  couipoiition,  as  he  was  iniorin- 
ed  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Botter.  That  he  did  as  well  be* 
foie  he  had  receive  J  licenfe  as  after  the  licenfe  had  ex- 
pired, adminiifer  all  the  i:iacr?ments,  partly  becaufe 
niTfpiters  had  difappointed  hiru  in  confirming  his  cate- 
cbife.l  c'iitdre'\  as  they  had  pro^i^ifed,  and  partly  accord- 
ing io  Mis  own  notion.     That  the  laid  J.    VV.  Meyer  ac- 


t    7    ; 

knowledges  that  he  bad  erred  epjgregiouQv  in  nor  hav- 
ing endeavoured  for  licenfe,  either  froni  the  Ptr.nfyl- 
vania  miniltry  or  from  this,  and  for  havii  g  confirmed 
children  and  adminiitered  the  Sacran  tnt-  viithou;  ordi- 
nation. Ihey  Further  find  that  the  n^iihorary  miniiiers 
fent  from  this  minillry,  h  d  vifued  hitn  aitd  hh  congre- 
gations, and  had  invited  them,  either  to  aflbciate  with 
the  Pennfylvania  or  our  miniitry,  and  that  the  petition- 
ing congregations  are  farther  from  the  Pennfylvania 
miniltry  than  from  this. 

In  confideration  of  all  circumftances,  and  in  partku- 
lar  as  there  appears  no  affur^nce  in  the  petition,  that 
the  faid  congregations  are  inclined  and  willing  to  adnit 
and  fubmit  to  our  rules,  and  to  the  rules  of  the  Luther- 
an Chriiiian  Church:— We  believe  it  to  be  beii  that 
candidate  Meyer  be  licenfed  to  preach,  baptize  and  ca- 
techife  until  our  next  Synod,  and  tha^  he  (liould  le- 
ctive  the  promife,  that  if  polTible  two  n  iniftcrs  of  our 
afTociation  (hould  vifit  in  his  congregaticns  next  ipring, 
to  confirm  the  catechifed  children,  and  admirifter  the 
Lord's  Supper  ;  and  that  they  fhould  ai  o  be  authciiied 
to  ordain  the  faid  candidate  in  one  of  his,  congiegaiicns, 
if  no  ferious  obflacle  intervenes. 

Synod  approved  of  the  above  report,  and  reqi:eflcd 
the  Revd.  Mr.  Miller  and  Sherer  to  accept  the  change 
during  the  month  of  May  next,  to  vifit  in  faid  congre- 
gations fdV  the  above  purpofes,  which,  as  well  as  the 
call  of  ading  during^  this  year  as  mifTio  ary  preachers  ; 
they  accepted,  in  faithful  confidence  on  the  afTiliance 
of  our  Lord. 

Bro.  Shober  reported  that  by  his  fervice,  he  had  by 
the  blefTing  of  the  Lord  affcmbled  two  congregations, 
the  one  by  the  name  of  Hopewell,  where  Henry  Rippel 
and  Charles  Chirty  are  Elders  The  other  named  Beth- 
lehem, where  J.  A.  Folk,  Adam  Flfcus,  and  Frederick 
Wolf  are  Klders  ;  which  two  congregations  requell  to 
be  received  into  our  afrjciation.  This  being  alio  the  re* 
qoeft  of  a  congregation  alTembled  under  the  miniftry  of 
the  Revd.  Mr  Dreher,  in  S.  C.  where  Fredr.  Glafs, 
Johnlvcgler,  John.Crebs  and  .^amuel  Jumper  are  elders. 


(  8  ) 

they  were  all  with  thanks  to  our  gracious  Lord  received 
into  our  connexion  and  charge. 

The  folloiving  rcfiorts   ivere  resolved  to    be  entered  in   our  JournaL 

R.  J.  Miller,  baptized  fince  February   laft,   150 

children  and  6  Adults. 
C.  A.  Stork,    baptized  laft  year  97  children,    2 

adults,  and  confirmed  46. 
L.   Markert,  no  return. 
P.  Henkel,  do.  do. 
£  <^  G.  Shober,  fince  the  beginninpr  of  this  year,  bap- 
^  tized  60  children,  4  adults,  and  confirmed  48^. 

G.   Dreher,  baptized.  18   children,    i   auult,    and 

confirmed  1  2. 
J.  Sherer,  fince  April   baptized   ^'7^  children  and 
catechiicd   2>S'>    (who  were  confirmed  by    Bro. 
Shober,  and  are  nor  part  of  the  48.) 
Candidate  Moler,  ,  has   baptized  fince  April  laft  36 

children. 
The  German  PreftDyterian  candidate  W.  Mouk,  hav- 
ing petitioned  this  Synod  for  a  recommendation  to  re- 
com!nend  hirn  to  the  EngliOi  PreftDyterian  Synod,  in  or- 
der thereby  to  be  alnfted  to  receive  orJmation,  the  Se- 
cretary was  inftructed  to  execute  to  him  a  certificate, 
certifying  that  the  faid  candidate  did  laft  fpring  apply  to 
our  Synod  for  ordination,  but  that  we  tnought^we  could 
not  confiftently  inrerfere,  he  belo  >gi  g  to  another  per- 
fuafion,  that  the  Prefbvterian  elders  who  were  then  pre- 
fent  were  fatisfied  with  this  refolution,  and  that  we  had 
not  heard  anv  thing  againft  his  moral  charader,  and  of 
coarfe  had  nothing  to  lay  againft  him. 

A  petition  from  South  Carolina,  wherein  the  fubfcri- 
bers  pray  for  a  fettled  German  Lutheran  Preacher  a- 
mon^  them,  or  that  at  leaft  "uch  a  one  might  vifit  them 
everv  three  (noiirhs,  in  orde^  thai  their  children  may 
be  confirmed  and  the  Lord's  Supper  be  adminiftered  to 
them,  was  attended  to  with  heaitfelt  participation,  and 
refolved  that  the  laft  prayer  ftiould  be  acrompliftied. — 
The  miniiters  who  are  to  vifit  rhem  du  ing  this  year, 
^yere  hereupon  appointed,  and  recommeaded  that  thofe 


(   9   ;  .^     , 

con^regrations  wbofeminillers  are  comrniiiioned  to  tra- 
♦  vtri,   rnay  he  viiited  by  thoie  miniiters  viho  live  ntxt  to 
them  as  inuch  as  polTiDle. 

\    me.norial  from    4  congregations    in  S.  CaTohna, 
figned  b>'  aoout  6c  o[    our   members,  requefting    that 
certain  eilaMifhed  church  rules    might  be    generally   a- 
dop'-ed,  in  order  that   calumniators   from    without  and 
the  ignorant  frohi   wTtbin,   may  be  prevented    from  af- 
fertin^thar  we  live  without  rules,  was  read  and  attend- 
ed to,"  and  refoUed,  that  our  rules    a'ready    printtd  in 
the  German  language  (hould  be  printed    in  the  Ln^hih 
lan-juaire,    and  that  in    addition  thereto    fuch    texts  of 
fcri^ture  (hould  be  cited  as  contain  our  rules,  or   fuch 
on  which  they  are  bottomed.     And  it  is  recommended 
to  all  our  miniflers  ftriaiy  to   adhere  themfelves  to  our 
rules,  and  to  procure  their   performance,  in  order  that 
impurity,  remiflrnefs    and   lukewarmnefs  may    ceafe  to 
grow  among  us,  that  vital   religion  may  be  increafing, 
and  that  awakened    fouls  may  not    be    deterred    froin 
uniting  themfelves  with  us  on  the  road  to  eternal  happi- 
nefs.     It  was  further   acknowledged,  to  be  the  dutv  of 
the  elders  to  be  prefent  at  every    preparatory     meeting, 
before  the  facranient,  and  when  the  communicants  give 
in  their  names,  that  our  members    who  live  in  open  fm 
may  be  rejeded   from  the  Lord's  Table,  and  that  each 
elder  who  is    afrai »  to  do  his  duty,  or  negleds  to  per- 
form his  official  duty  alfo  in  this  point,  hae^  better  refi,?!! 
his  office,  or  that  it  be  permitted  to  the  minifler  to  re- 
leafe  fuch  a  one  from  his   office,  if  admonitions  to   be 
faithful,  given  in  prefence  of  fome  members  of  the  con- 
gregation, (hall  have  remained  ineffectual. 

Scripture  fays,  i  Cor.  v.  13,  pur  awav  from  among 
yourfelves  that  wicked  perfon.  You  (liall  not  eat  w^fh 
fuch  Tinners  who  are  named.  1  Cor.  v.  •  1,  for  fuch 
have  no  inheritance  in  the  kinofdom  of  Chri  '  and  God. 
Eph.  V.  5.  1  Cor.  vi.  o,  10.  We  are  rcmmaridcd  in  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jtfus  Chnl>,  to  wn'r^draw  from  ev:  ry 
brother  that  walketh  diforderly.  2  Thes-  iii.  6.  Mark 
th*-  n  which  caufe  divifions  and  off^  nces  contrary  to  the 
doctrine  which  ye   have  learned  ;    and  avoid  them. 

B 


.;    I  TO  ;      ^ 

Rom.  XVI.  17.  The  rule  however  which  our  Saviojar 
laid  down,  Matt,  xviii.  15,  16,  17  is  firft  of  al!  tobe  ob- 
ferved,  and  P^ul  favs,  Gal.  vi.  1.  Brethren,  if  a  man 
be  overtaken  in  a  fault,  ye  which  are  fpiritual  reftore 
fuch  an  one  in  the  fpint  of  meeknefs  ;  confidering  thy- 
felf,  lelt  thou  alio  be  tempted.  And  if  then  all  ex- 
hortation remain  Iruirlef^,  what  Jefus  faid  to  Peter, 
Matt.  xvi.  19.  will  no  doubt  apply,  as  he  repeats  the 
fame  toall  his  dilcioles,  Matt,  xviii.  18.  N  .B.  What 
Paul  fays,  i  Cor.  vi.    1—7.  is  alfo  to  be  recommended. 

In  taking  a  view"  of  our  congregations,  it  was  much 
regretted  that  many  of  our  members  fometimes  foon 
after  their  confirmation,  quit  attending  to  the  preach- 
ing of  thegofpel,  and  onlv  come  when  they  have  chil- 
dren to  chriften,  and  that  others  abfolutely  live  like  hea- 
thens, and  will  yet  be  called  members  of  our  church  ; 
it  is  'therefore  very  preilincrly  recommended,  that  the 
duty  of  the  min^i'ters  to  vifit  fuch  hackfliders  with  the 
elders  may  never  be  delayed,  fo  as  to  artrad  them'  by 
love  and  friendfhip,  and  to  entice  them  to  turn  and  be- 
come real  and- vital  chriflians,  and  to  continue  fuch  vi- 
fits  as  long  as  any  hope  ofrcturn  and  amendment  exiils. 
'!  he  Lord  will  certainly  blefs  and  profper  fuch  endea- 
vours. 

A  proportion,  that  it,  he  repommended  to  all  the« 
members  of  our  church,  that  in  cafe  thev  are  about  en- 
tering into  the  State  of  matrirnonv,  thev  would  accord- 
ing to  the  cu^loni  of  all  well  reguUred  churches,  fulfer 
the  bands  of  matrimony  to  be  publifhed,  and  b*  marri- 
ed by  one  of  our  miniffers  ;  was  confidered  and  with- 
'oi't  a  diffenting  voice  adopted 

It  was  alfo  r^folved,  that  hereafter  only  fuch  children 
fliall  be  recorded  in -our  church  books  as  are  baptized 
by  one  of  our  miniOers  or  duly  iicenfed  candidate,  or 
fuch  who  are  baptized  by  a  regular  minifter  of  the  Ger- 
man or^Knglifh  Preibyterians. 

Complaints  being  mnde  that  during  the  celebration 

o^'rhi^  Lord's  Supoer,  difordc.rs  are  in  fome  confrrecra- 

t'  ns  comniir    d,  tfpecia'ly  w^en  perfons  are   admift  d 

>  the  noafe  who  lio  not  cnderft and  the  language,    and 


(  l^   ) 

only  meet  for  the  Dnrpole  of  mocking  tne  hoiy  m^ntu- 
tio'i  ;  uis  tnerefore  left  to  the  elders  and  miiiutcis  of 
eacu'congregauon  to  a:imit  only  liicli  to  De  vilitors  da- 
luis  the  celebration  aioretaid,  asaie  ot  good  report  and 
to  ail.nils  th'e  oiners  ;  this  might  be  done  by  diiuailing 
the  whole  congregation  after  lermon,  ana  that  then  tne 
comaicnic^intMakc  up  the  hilt  places,  or  any  other 
mdniiLr  approved  by  in^  elders,  ^c. 

Aiier  a  iermon  preached  by     iir.  Shober,  on  Pfalm, 
cxxvi.  5,  6.  '•  I  hey  thiit  low  in  tears  (hall  reap  in  joy/' 
&c.   Ca.'didate  J.  P.  Franklow,  was  conlecratcd  a  mm-, 
ijtjr  oiihe  golpcl,    ana  the  lolemn  nrdmation  was  ptr- 
loriued  by  trie  miniU^^rs-  Miller,   Markert  ana  Shober. 

Ine  Kev'd.  Mr.  Frahkiow  was  heienpon  requeltcd 
to  make  one  of  iiiore  vilits  in  a  part  ot  bouth  Caro^^na, 
ca  kd  6alr-[CeichJr,'  there  to  enquireMnto  the  lituai'ion 
o.  i4ie  rcUdueof  oar  i..eaibers,  who  tonierh  had.a 
V.  iied  congregation, 'and  .to  report  the  leiultot 

h,^  ..;.-.>.;ieb  to  the  next   Synod.  r    t     u-  i 

1  he*  Secretary  was  charged  to  procure  the  feal  whicli 
two  years  ago  had  been  relolved  to  be  procured  tor  the 
ule  ot  our"mmutry  ;  and  to  pay  tor  the  iame  out  ot  our 

"Vowards  the  fuuporr  of  poor  b-ednhers  in    the  holy 
mmriry,  thetoilowing  received  turns  were  paid  to  the 

Trcaiurer  :  .        .     c? 

Of  1.  P.  Franklow,  out  of  one  congregation  in  b. 
Carolina,  ^Doils.  20  00  cts, 

—  R.  J.   Miller,  ;  ^5 

-L.   Markert,  ^  ^^ 

'  ...  u.  Shober,    .  ^   ^S     . 

^-j.  Sherer,  ^  *         '^  ^  '^SO 

...  G.  i^ieber,  (from  S.  C.) 5^^ 

Total,  l^oiis.  53  2ccts- 

Refolved,  that  an  axtraQ  be  made  from  this  journal, 
and  that  the  fame  be  printed  in  both  languages  on  tv-.b- 
frription,  and  that  the  Secretary  have  all  the  rules  ot 
our  aiTociadon  vvhkh  are  yet  in  force,  and  v/hich  are  not 


(       12       ) 

already  printed,  tranflated  into  the  Enghfh  language 
and  anncixcu  lo  the  journal. 

Keio.vtd,  thar  on  the  hrlt  Sunday  of  May  next,  a  3 
da\.^  meeting  be  held  in  vSouth  Carolina,  at  Btthti's 
churcn,  and  that  the  niinillers  Stork  or  Shcber,  G. 
Drther  and  J.  P.  Franklow,  God  willing,  attend  the 
fame 

r'iiiiip  Roth  was  accepted  as  a  candidate  for  the  n  in- 
ifteriai  office,  and  received  hcenle  under  iht  iuperin- 
tendjiice  ot  the  Rcvd.  Mr.  hherer  to  exhort,  catechife 
and  in  caie  ot  neceflity  to  baptize  tor  one  year. 

For  the  lame  time,  Jacob  Milier  of  Stokts^  County, 
alio  received  iicenle  to  exi-ort,  read,  and  in  caie  of  nt- 
ceffity  to  baptize. 

General  iicmfe  to  preach  and  a£t  as  above,  weie  re- 
newed to  Jacob  Kriefon. 

Relulved,  that  our  next  Synod  be  held  on  the  ^d, 
Sunday  of  Odober  1813,  in  Kowan  County,  at  the 
Pilgrim's    church. 

Our  bufinels  being  finiOied,  and  ir  being  late,  we 
adjourned  to  thehoufe  of  the  Revd  Mr.  Sherer,  where 
in  prcfence  of  mod  of  the  preacliers,  2  candidates  and 
one  deputv,  the  journal  was  read  and  completed. 

Hereupon  Prefident  Miller,  concluded  this  our  an- 
nual Synod,  by  finging  an  appropriate  Hymn,  and  a 
feeling  and  encouraging  addrefs,  to  remain  faithful  la- 
bourers in  the  vineyard  of  our  Lord,  that  we  may  not  be 
afhamed  when  he  comes  to  call  us  to  an  account. 

In  the  concluding  prayer  we  fupplicated  the  throne  of 
grace  for  torgivenefs  of  all  errors  and  negleds,  and  in 
particular  for  what  we  nave  erred  in  or  neglected  during 
our  this  year's  deliberation,  prayed  for  his  bleffing  up- 
on what  we  had  refolved  in  his  name,  thanked  him  for 
the  w.iuy  favours  he  had  poured  down  upon  us  his  poor 
fervants,  arid  upon  our  congregations,  and  for  his  mer- 
cies and  patience  with  our  weaknels  and  infirmities, 
and  recommended  ourftlves  and  all  the  minillers  of  the 
golpel,  in  particular  thofe  of  our  churches,  to  his  fur- 
ther mercies,  protedion  and  the  guidance  of  his  holy 
ipirir,  and  that  he  might  not  take  away  his  holy  fpirit 
from  our  cungregaiions. 


(     '3     ) 
Mav  he  do  more  as  we  under  (land  pray  for,    for  his 

name  lake.  Amen* 

Extrad  from  the  Journal, 

G.  SHOBER,  Secretary. 


Rules  entered  into  by  the  Conferency. 

Ocl.  locj  / >'iiiy  luch  can  De  adiiuttcid  iuli  members 
ot  our  church,  who  are  baptized  and  accoid- 
ing  to  our  ru!e  conhrmed  and  actually  partake 
of  the  Lord's  crupper. 

Od.  1804  Kefolved  that  all  luch  persons  as  live  in  open 
vice,  to  the  fcandal  ot  others,  Ihail  not  be 
p  rmitted  to  partake  of  the  hoiy  Sacrament 
nor  (tand  as  Godfathers,  it  after  they  have 
been  reprimanued  privately  or  openly  by  the 
elders  or  preacher,  they  continue  m  their  bad 
pradices,  and  every  minilter  is  at  liberty  to 
baptize  their  children  or  to  refufe  it. 

Od.  1806.  The  above  rule  was  firmly  eltablifhed,  and 
with  this  addition,  that  it  Ihall  be  read  once 
every  year  m  each  congregation. 

Aug.  1810.  Refolved,  that  if  parents  of  iMegitimate 
children,  vvifh  to  have  their  children  baptized, 
they  mult  fir(t  according  to  the  rule  of  our 
forefathers,  openly  before  the  concrregation, 
or  berore  the  minifter  and  elders,  confefs  their 
tranfgrefrion,  and  folemnly  promife  to  amend 
their  lives.  And  in  cafe  Father  or  iMother  re- 
fufe to  do  fo,  the  child  may  be  baptized  if  one 
of  them,  either  Father  or  Mother,  fubmits  to 
this  rule,  provided  he  or  (he  engages  for  the 
chriitian  education  of  fach  child.  And  all 
fuch  tranfgrefiors  who  refufe  to  fubinit  to  this 
rule,  if  regularly  aiked  fo  to  <^o^  are  excluded 
from  our  church,  until  they  fubmit  thereto. 
CSee   JonrnaU  ^'ipnl^   1812,  17.J 


(      «4     ) 
A  CIRCULAR, 

To  the  Clergy  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  the  Siate  of 
JSorib-  Carolina, 

MY  DEAR  BRETHREN  IN  THE  LORD, 

PLlliVlir  *ne,  in  my  official  capacity,  at  this 
a-^'ful  crifis,  when  both  the  civil  and  religious  worid  are 
vifiDiv  in  a  ibte  of  tiuduation  ;  and  by  dalhing  agaiud 
each  other,  tiioufands  are  literally  finkHig  in  the  rums 
of  both,  to  rile  no  more  !  to  addrefs  to  your  ferious 
c:)iuideration  the  following  particulars,  in  reipecl  to  the 
diicharge  of  your  o^ticiai  duties,  as  MiniUers  of  the 
Gofpdl  of  Jefus  Chrilt. 

And,  tint,  as  by  your  own  profeffioo,  you  are  called 
by    the  fpirit  of  God,  to  iiand  upon  the  vvaiis  of  his 
Zian,  as^his  watchmen,  to  warn  his  people,  lee  lia.  v. 
8.  I.  and  Ezek/xxxiii.  i — lo.      I'heretore,  let  the  du- 
tw.s  of  the   watchman  lie  near   your  heart;  rememoer 
that  it  is  an  all-important  charge.      ihe  louls  ot   mea 
are  precious  in  the  ligUt  of  God,  and  thev  ought  to  be 
precious  in  our  fight  alfo  ;   for,  their   blood  will  be  re- 
aired  at  the  watchman's  hand,     if  he  is  dingent  and 
zaitnful   in  warning  theni,  he   will  deliver  his  own  loul. 
Let  the  confideration  ot  this  excite  u^  to  watcntulnefs, 
care  and  diliirence  in  the  dilciiarge  M  every  minillLerial 
duty  tov-'ard  them:   chat,  tnereoy,  we  may  ihew   our- 
felves  to  God  and  men,  woikmen  that  need  not  to  be 
.Inamed.     Let  us,  then,  endeavour  to  acquire  and  cul- 
.ivate  a  fpirit  of  (kill  and  tendernels,  in  order  to  enable 
iS  to  comfort  and  encourage  the  broken-hearted  and 
..Miipted  believer  ;  and,  likewiie,  a  fpirit  of  intrepiUity 
und  firnuiefs,  to  enable  us  to  reprove  and  rebuke,  with 
sll  the  authority  ot  God's  word,  thofe  who  ad  incon- 
:^'llent!y  with  their  profelTion.     Let  us,  in  this  cafe,  be 
difintereded,   zealous  for  the  glory  ot  God,  prepared 
for  the^crofs,  fuperioV  to  perfonal  confiderat;ons,  to  the 
fear  of  men,  and  to  the  Ihackies  of  party  and  bigotry  ; 
t\vM  v/*:h  all  plainners  of  f^cech  and  behaviour,  we  may 


(     '5    )  .        . 

tjere^l   the  tranfirredion  and  expofe  the  hypocrify  oi 

thn(e,  who  profefs  to  know  God,  but  in  works  do  deny 
hnn.  I  well  know,  my  dear  Brethren,  that  this  requires 
more  courage,  and  will  generally  expofe  us  to  greater 
trials,  than  all  pofTible  fevcrity  againft  avowed  infidels 
and  open  profligates.  And,  it  -niay  be,  that  felf-lovc, 
ambition,  avarice,  love  of  eafe  and  pv^erfion  to  the  crofs, 
may  fudged  to  fome  of  us,  fpare  tfee  ricli  and  powerful : 
but  God  fays,  "  Ipare  not,"  and  we  niuft  obey  him  apd 
not  men,  pleafe  him  and  not  ourfelvcs.  Moreover,  we 
nave  folemnly  pledged  ourfeves  to  the  Church,  &  to  the 
world,  at  our  laft,  &  at  2  other  of  our  preceding  lynodical 
meetings,  that  we  would  thus  sd  ;  by  excluding  Ire m 
a  participation  of  the  iacr?,ments  of  ou^  Chu?ch,  all 
thofe  of  her  members  who  continue  to  live  in  onen  and 
wiifu!  fm.  And  let  me  aik,  has  not  our  remiffnefs  in 
this  very  cafe,  been  one  great  caufe  of  fo  many  of  ouf 
people's  leaving:  our  conimunion  ?  i  Specially  ^ofe  of 
our  voung  people,  who  have  firil  been  awakened  from 
the  fleep  of  fin  and  death  under  the  preachin,?of  other 
denominations  ?  1-et  us,  then,  by  a  confcientfous  ad- 
'  herepce  to  the  rule  made  in  that  cafe,  endeavour  to  re- 
move this  (tumblin^-block  out  of  the  way,  and  thi^  re- 
proach from. our  Church,  and  likewife  the  rule  of  lad 
Synod,  refpeding  thofe  who  do  not  regularly  attend  rhe 
ordinances  of  the  gofpel  ;  carefully  obferving  our  Sa- 
viour's rule,  Matth.  xviii.  15,  16,  17.  and  by  every 
other  lawful  and  endearing  means,  endeavour  to  v^^iii 
them  over  to  their  duty  and  interelh  Let  me  again  re- 
mind vou,  that  the  times  in  which  we  live,  are  both*p:- 
rilous  and  ponentous,  and  have  been  long  predidtd  by 
the  word  of  God  ;  therefore,  let  us  be  prepared  for  the 
event,  by  a  (leadv  adherence  to  the  fimple  truths  of  the 
gofpel ;  which  will  do  more  to  preferve  us,  and  thofe 
committed  to  our  care,  from  the  prevailing  errors  of 
this  unhappv  period,  than  by  entering  into  the  various 
controverfies  that  are  agitat-ng  the  Chriftian  world. 
Let  us  alfo  attend  cinfely  to  the  catechifing  of  the  chil- 
dren in  our  refpe£tive  charges,  'and  let  it  be  our  chief 
care  and  principal  endeavour,  by  the  aid  of  the  holy  fpi- 


rit  of  God,  to  leaven  this  lump  with  the  knowledge  of 
divine  trvi?h  ;  but,  if  this  is  negleded,  l^e  aifured  that 
the  natural  confequence  will  be,  that  all  vital  piety  will 
fooTi  decay  and  die  away  from  anions:  our  dear  people. 
Let  u-  orefs  upon  the  tenoer  minds  of  the  young,  a  deep 
fe  -U  of  their  fallen,  undone,  finful  and  miferable  Itate 
by  nature  ;  the  eafy,  fim;  le  and  fafr  remedy,  that  infi- 
nite IVJercy  hath  provided  and  revealed  in  the  gofpel  of 
his  bleireJ  Son  :  of  the  inhnite  merit  of  his  all- atoning 
blond,  and  meritorious  life,  whereby  they  can  alone  be 
reconciled  to  God  their  heavenly  father,  by  faith  in 
them  ;  and  that  this  faith  is  God's  free  gift  to  them,  and 
can  only  be  produced  in  their  hearts  by  the  operations 
of  his  holy  fpirit.  Le^d  them  to  pray  for  this,  to  hope 
'  and  look  for  it  from  God,  who  alone  can  give  it.  If, 
through  the  ble(nng  of  God  upon  our  labours,  we  can 
fucceed  in  this  mod  important  point,  we  may  confident- 
ly hope  that  they  will  be  preferved  from  the  baneful  in- 
fluence of  thofe  loofe,  legal,  pharifaical  and  anti- 
nomian  dodrines,  that  are  in  our  unhappy  days  delu- 
ging the  Chriflian  world.  And  we  may  alfo  hope  to  fee 
a  permanent  revival  and  fpread  of  gofpel  truth  in  our 
Church.  But  without  this,  although  the  outward  form 
of  religion  mav,  and  I  have  no  doubt  will,  remain  in 
our  Church  whilif  the  prefent  race  of  men  lafts ;  yet,  it 
will  foon  difappear  too,  and  with  it  all  Church  connexion 
and  all  communion  of  Saints  on  earth.  This  mav,  to 
many,  feem  a  bold  aflertion  ;  it  is,  however,  in  confor- 
mity to  the  word  of  God.  The  wirnefles  are  to  be  flain, 
and, the  iigns  of  the  times  fpeak  the  event  approaching. 
It  is  our  duty,  by  an  humble  dependence  upon  the  Di- 
vine aid  and  afTidance,  to  ftem,  if  we  cannot  ftop  the 
torrent.  Remember,  the  eteat  reformer  whofename  we 
bear  as  a  denomination  ;  he  was  but  one  man,  and  but 
a  man  ;  what  did  he  achieve  ?  May  Luther's  God,  and 
onr  God,  enable  us  by  his  grace  to  go  and  do  fo  like- 
wife,  is  the  fincere  prayer  of 

Your  affedionate  Brother, 

R.  J.  MILLER. 


